Iran’s Presidential Debate: Will Ahmadinejad’s Attacks Backfire?

Iran’s voters had been anticipating a heated discussion in their country’s first-ever presidential candidates’ debate, but even then, Wednesday night’s showdown between incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and moderate challenger Mir-Hossein Moussavi was a rough-and-tumble affair that exceeded expectations. And the new season of televised politics could get even nastier

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Middle East Muslims Like Obama’s Words but Want to See Action

There was plenty of enthusiasm across the Muslim world for President Barack Obama’s Cairo speech Thursday, although much of it was tempered by a withholding of judgment until talk of change is translated into action. And there were mixed feelings about whether policy changes would be forthcoming and on Arab and Muslim responsibility to help bring it about

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Ahmadinejad lashes out at Iran’s ex-presidents

It’s a first for Iran: a series of debates televised live ahead of the upcoming presidential elections next week. And Wednesday’s was one to remember. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known for his fiery attacks on his foes, unleashed a mouthful Wednesday against Iran’s former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whom he accused of colluding with his chief rival, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

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Iran’s Ahmadinejad dismisses nuclear talks with other nations

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday ruled out nuclear negotiations with other nations, saying, "Iran’s nuclear issue is over, in our opinion." At a news conference in Tehran, the hardline president also said that if re-elected he again will call for a debate with President Obama. Ahmadinejad previously urged a debate with President Bush and offered to debate both Obama and Republican presidential candidate Sen.

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Iran’s Spending Spree in Afghanistan

Some locals jokingly call Herat the “Dubai of Afghanistan.” The nickname is a stretch, but the mini-boom taking place in this commercial capital is borne out by 24-hour electricity and pothole-free streets where people wander without fear of the random violence that afflicts other urban centers in the country. Who gets the credit? Much of it goes to Iran, which lies less than a hundred miles to the west and is moving closer.

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Thousands gather to hear, cheer Iran’s Michelle Obama

Dancing in public in not allowed in Iran, but thousands could hardly contain themselves at a recent presidential campaign rally in the capital city, Tehran. On this day, the deafening cheers were not for presidential hopeful Mir Hossein Mousavi, but rather for his wife — a woman some are calling Iran’s Michelle Obama. The comparisons to the first lady of the United States stem from the role Zahra Rahnavard is playing in her husband’s quest for the presidency.

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